Member Spotlight: Lilith Dorsey

Why is writing important to you and why do you think it’s an important medium for the world? Writing allows us to connect with the past, the present, and the future. It allows us to tell herstory, history, and every story in existence. It’s how we learn. It’s how we create. It’s how we grow. Writing helps me discover myself and others, and I don’t know what life would be like if I wasn’t a writer, but it wouldn’t be pretty.

What are your tried and tested remedies to cure writer’s block? I have a unique way of dealing with writer’s block. I don’t write. I do something else. I take a minute to find another way to be creative. Maybe I will sing a song, learn a new dance routine, or even try another type of writing, like poetry. I try to write only when I am excited about writing, even if it’s just a few sentences. Then I go back later and try and piece those creative bursts into a logical whole.

What is your favorite time to write? I am an early riser. Therefore, my favorite time to write is the early morning. It’s the time with the fewest disturbances, and after I’ve had a fair amount of caffeine, I can focus. The light is beautiful at this time of day. The birds are awake, and I meet the day with a renewed sense of resolve. I do also write in short bursts throughout the day as well. Whenever I get an idea or a creative thought, I make sure to record that somewhere like on my phone or in a notebook. Then I can go back to it later.

What’s the best piece of writing advice you’ve ever received and would like to impart to other writers? The probably best piece of advice I ever received was to write for myself, no matter what. I write what I want always. I’m sure all the editors reading this will dislike me, but I tell it like it is. Editors’ suggestions are suggestions, and while you may need to make some concessions along the way, you probably have more cache than you know. Obviously, many of us are contractually obligated to produce a certain manuscript but within that there is more leeway than I ever would’ve imagined. I am on my sixth traditionally, published book, and I would recommend this advice to anyone who is just starting out. Another great piece of advice I think is that marketing is ultimately in the author’s hands. The publisher may have a budget, but any and all efforts on the author’s part can only help. Setting aside a budget of whatever you are able to afford at the time leading up to release day is well worth it. Also remember to think outside the box. We have more opportunities now with social media and other channels to get eyes on our books and we have to take advantage of that.

What excites you most about being a writer in today’s age? What really excites me is when my readers tell me that what I write, helps them to grow and inspires them. Most of my work is nonfiction, but even with some of my creative endeavors, people have been very kind and told me that my work was moving to them. So much of writing is a solitary experience, so knowing the words that I have put on the page go out like children into the wider world to make friends and influence people is a true joy.

Lilith Dorsey’s Tarot Every Witch Way: Unlock the Power of the Cards for Spellcraft & Magic is out now with Llewellyn Publications.